Posts by Yong Joo Park:
Replacing the Law of Retaliation with the Law of Christ in personal life
Matthew 5:39 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
Most people are right-handed. How can a right-handed person slap the right cheek of another person? It is possible by slapping with the back of the right hand. Slapping with the back of the right hand is twice more insulting than slapping with the flat of the right hand. Also slapping with the back of the right hand can’t severely injure a person physically. So it is clearly different from brutal attack that can injure the person who receives it.
So, this verse is clearly about how to respond to the personal “insult”. “insult” is felt when you are treated too lightly as a nothing. Sometimes people insult those who believe in Jesus simply because of their belief.
Based on the Law (“an eye to an eye and a tooth for a tooth”, Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21), a slap also could be sued legally for compensation. Note individuals were not permitted to use this law to settle disputes with others. Only the courts were permitted to do so. People misunderstood and misused this law even against personal insult by insulting back.
The response taught by Jesus is “turning to them the other cheek also”. This is the revolutionary way to respond to the insult. This is how God wants us to handle personal insult. The Law of Retaliation should be practiced not by individuals but by courts.
It is not easy to put down our pride and give up our rights. But this response will show them we have love greater than their hatred and insult – the love that can take further insult on the other cheek, because we are eager to save them.
Also, you are blessed when you have to do this for the sake of Christ (Matthew 5:11, 12).
Reference:
Hughes, R. K. (2001). The sermon on the mount: the message of the kingdom. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
The Beautitudes
Matthew 5:4 Matthew chapter 5, 6, and 7 are called “The Sermon on the Mount”. Matthew 5:1-11 is in the opening part of it, called “The Beatitudes”. Beatitude comes from the Latin “beatitude” meaning “blessedness”. The beatitudes are 8 blessings as written in Matthew 5:1-11. Here, let us discuss the 2nd blessing today. See v4. […]
Highest priority in the life
Jesus who appears in John 4 was weary (John 4:6), thirsty (John 4:7) and hungry (John 4:8). He became like us to become a merciful and faithful high priest (Hebrews 2:16-18) and to sympathize our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15-16). In Matthew 4, Jesus was hungry after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4:2). And […]
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
Luke 16:1 – 9 The topic of today’s message is The Parable of the Shrewd Manager. “shrewd” means having or showing sharp powers of judgement; having an ability to assess situations or people accurately. What this parable teaches us is written in Luke 16:8 – 9. That is, it teaches us to be ‘shrewd’. ‘Be […]
Humility before God and Confidence on His Grace
Matthew 15:21-28
God is Light
“In him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, […]
Choose your Eternal Destiny
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) We all know every one of us will die once sometimes. What happens after the death? Each individual will face judgement of God. What will be the result of the judgement? See Matthew 25:46. “Then they will go away to […]
About two trees in the middle of garden of Eden
In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9b) The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was forbidden tree which would bring death if eaten (Genesis 2:17). Before temptation & sin, This tree gave them following knowledge: It is […]
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) “Come to […]
Follow Jesus even if many around you follow the world
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26) Do you overlook your soul in pursuit of possession? Do not exchange your soul with anything in the world. Your soul is more precious than the whole […]
